FEATURED WINE OF THE 12-WINES-OF-XMAS PACKAGE = WEEK THREE VIRTUAL

WINEMAKER NOTES: Like all premium Kacaba wines the quality starts in the vineyard. All fruit for this wine un­derwent extensive crop thinning to lighten the load on the vine and heavy leaf pulling during a very rainy summer to expose the fruit to additional direct sunlight. This resulted in healthy growth during an otherwise challenging vintage.

The Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon and Syrah were harvested at slightly different times, but the winemaking techniques were identical for the components of this blend. All fruit for this wine was carefully harvested and sorted before undergoing a gentle crushing and destemming. Fermentation was carried forth in open-top fermentation bins for 13 days at a maximum temperature of 90°F. Throughout fermentation the bins were hand plunged twice daily for optimal extraction of colour and flavour. After primary fermentation these wines were pressed off the skins and racked to both French and American oak barrels to create well-integrated flavours and a rich mouthfeel. After 18 months of maturing in barrels the final batch was blended (65% Cab Franc, 20% Syrah, 15% Cab Sauvignon) before cold stabilizing and bottling in Spring of 2019.

TASTING NOTES: This wine has a youthful opaque ruby-purple colour, hinting at its vibrant fruit. The bouquet is a captivating blend of wild strawberry and violet, with a spicy backbone of cracked pepper and a subtle earthiness of graphite. The finish is long, floral, with a touch of sweetness and savory. This wine shines on its own yet pairs well with a multitude of different dishes from hearty pasta to grilled red meats.